O morning Star, so pure, so bright

Representative Text

1 O Morning Star, so pure and bright,
Whose rays shed forth pure truth and light,
Thou Sov'reign meek and lowly;
Sweet Root of Jesse,
Thou who art
The Lord and Bridegroom of the heart,
Deign Thou to own me wholly.
Loving art Thou Great and glorious, all victorious,
Rich in blessing,
Rule and might o'er all possessing.

2 Thou radiant Brightness from above,
Fill Thou my heart with heav'nly love,
Nor may Thy grace forsake me;
O fill Thou me with joy divine,
And let me be forever Thine;
Thy fruitful member make me.
Tow'rd Thee longing
Doth possess me, do Thou bless me,
Sun of gladness,
Lest my soul repine in sadness.

3 If Thou but look on me in love,
God draweth near me from above
With joy's o'erflowing measure;
Lord Jesus Christ, my highest Good,
Thy Word and Spirit, flesh and blood,
My inmost heart doth treasure.
With Thy bounty
Draw Thou near me, warm and cheer me,
Firmly hold me;
Keep me Thine, in love enfold me.

4 Here will I rest, and e'er hold fast:
My Bridegroom is the First and Last,
The source and goal forever;
Here I may calmly die, for Thou
Wilt take me where Thou dwellest now,
Naught Thee and me shall sever.
Amen! Amen! Come, we pray Thee,
nor delay Thee;
We with yearning
Look, O Lord, for Thy returning.


Source: American Lutheran Hymnal #175

Author: Philipp Nicolai

Philipp Nicolai (b. Mengeringhausen, Waldeck, Germany, 1556; d. Hamburg, Germany, 1608) lived an eventful life–he fled from the Spanish army, sparred with Roman Catholic and Calvinist opponents, and ministered to plague-stricken congregations. Educated at Wittenberg University, he was ordained a Lutheran pastor in 1583 in the city of Herdecke. However, he was soon at odds with the Roman Catholic town council, and when Spanish troops arrived to reestablish Roman dominance, Nicolai fled. In 1588 he became chief pastor at Altwildungen and court preacher to Countess Argaretha of Waldeck. During that time Nicolai battled with Calvinists, who disagreed with him about the theology of the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. These doctri… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O morning Star, so pure, so bright
Author: Philipp Nicolai
Source: Tr. composite
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET

Adapting a tune written for Psalm 100 found in Wolff Köphel's Psalter (1538), Nicolai composed WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET, which was published with the text in 1599. Although the tune was originally more varied rhythmically, the hymnal version here is isorhythmic (all equal rhythms) and set to the rich ha…

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Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 5 of 5)
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American Lutheran Hymnal #175

TextPage Scan

Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church #349

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The Book of Worship #370

The Hymns for the Use of Evangelical Lutheran Congregations #d357

The Pioneer Hymnal #d196

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